Description
Hearty Mexican-inspired flavors merge deliciously in this one-pot taco pasta feast, blending classic comfort with zesty spice. Creamy cheese, ground beef, and perfectly seasoned noodles promise a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (4 ounces/113 grams) green chilies, diced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Liquids, Seasonings, and Pasta:
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 2 cups (226 grams) elbow macaroni (or your choice of pasta)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Initiate the culinary adventure by searing ground beef in a spacious pot over medium-high heat, methodically fragmenting the meat until it achieves a rich, caramelized texture. Eliminate any surplus fat if required.
- Introduce diced onions, vibrant bell peppers, and aromatic garlic into the meat-lined vessel, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and tender.
- Elevate the flavor profile by sprinkling taco seasoning across the mixture, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify for approximately one minute.
- Create a luscious foundation by incorporating diced tomatoes, zesty green chilies, robust beef broth, and velvety heavy cream. Whisk ingredients harmoniously and coax the liquid into a gentle simmer.
- Cascade elbow macaroni into the bubbling concoction, ensuring complete submersion. Seal with a lid and allow pasta to transform, stirring intermittently, until noodles reach al dente perfection and most liquid is absorbed.
- Conclude the preparation by folding in sharp cheddar cheese, creating a molten, creamy consistency. Fine-tune the seasoning with salt and pepper to personal preference.
- Present the one-pot marvel adorned with a pristine dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, ready to tantalize taste buds.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting taco seasoning or adding fresh jalapeños for more spice kick.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for healthier protein alternatives.
- Use gluten-free pasta and check taco seasoning ingredients to make this recipe celiac-friendly.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing extra portions and storing in airtight containers for quick lunches during the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg